We began a series of court battles for nine months, while I was attending classes by telephone.

I'm just one of the kids, and all because the students at Hamilton Heights High School listened to the facts, educated their parents and themselves, and believed in me.

On December 17, 1984, I had surgery to remove two inches of my left lung due to pneumonia. After two hours of surgery the doctors told my mother I had AIDS.

The desire to move into a bigger house, to avoid living AIDS daily, and a dream to be accepted by a community and school, became possible and a reality with a movie about my life, The Ryan White Story.

We had great faith that with patience, understanding, and education, that my family and I could be helpful in changing their minds and attitudes around.

Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.

Financial hardships were rough on us, even though Mom had a good job at G.M.

I believe in myself as I look forward to graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in 1991.

My name is Ryan White. I am sixteen years old. I have hemophilia, and I have AIDS.

Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic.

AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.

A lot of my time was spent searching, thinking and planning my life.

Entertainers, athletes, and stars started giving me support.

Even at church, people would not shake my hand.

Eventually, I won the right to attend school, but the prejudice was still there.

Given six months to live and being the fighter that I am, I set high goals for myself.

How could these people in the public eye not be afraid of me, but my whole town was?

I came face to face with death at thirteen years old.

I received thousands of letters of support from all around the world, all because I wanted to go to school.

I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere.